A few years back I put together a series of special playlists featuring my favorite kiss off songs. Despite what some may think, I’m really not that cynical. Rather, I just appreciate how some songwriters can tackle the topic with humor and bite. It’s kind of like a genre unto itself. Over the past year […]

So yesterday we broke the record for seasonal snowfall in Boston. That means we can transition to spring now, right? Well, we’re not quite there yet, but this classic from Josh Ritter seems appropriate. Or is it just wishful thinking?

Need a powerful pick-me-up for a Monday morning? It won’t get much better than this classic set of performances from 1967. Booker T. & the MGs, Sam and Dave and a host of stars from the legendary Stax label. And did I mention Otis Redding? It doesn’t get much better than this. Performances include: Booker […]

One of my favorite things about attending music conferences and festivals are the crazy comments that you hear along the way. Here are a few choice selections from this year’s Folk Alliance Conference. Playing for other musicians is not always the greatest experience. ‘I would have done that differently.’ Dan Bern No fucking songs about […]

Twangville made its first trip to the annual Folk Alliance Conference a few weeks ago. The event brought hundreds of musicians to Kansas City for four days of music. And more music. And more music. Folk Alliance is unlike any other festival or conference one can attend. Sure, like most conferences it features topical sessions […]

ALBUMS OF THE MONTH Complicated Game, by James McMurtry Six years. That’s how long it has been since we last heard new music from McMurtry. While he hasn’t been missing during this time – he could always be found on the touring circuit – many of us were anxiously awaiting some new music. Well, that […]

How about starting the week with Patrick Sweany and his band laying down an especially bluesy version of AC/DC’s “It’s a Long Way to the Top.” I guess no one told them that they were playing the “acoustic stage.”